Bach on 2036 German Olympic bid: “Ja”

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach says he believes Germany could be considered as a host for the 2036 Olympic Games or beyond.

In an interview with Germany’s Sport Bild, Bach discounted the role the 1936 Olympics in Berlin would have on the decision for 2036. That host city won’t be chosen until after Bach steps down in 2025.

Queried by Sport Bild on whether a German bid for the Olympics in the centennial year of the Nazi-driven Games would be feasible, Bach had a one word answer.

“Ja.”

Elaborating, Bach said 1936 should not be a burden for a new German bid to overcome.

“Of course there would be critics, and there would be critics among the other applicants. But from an international perspective, Germany is not blamed for those 1936 Games. You could even set an example, like Munich has set an example. At that time, we weren’t accused of the 1936 Games either.

“This opportunity would also arise in 2036 – I would not see the real obstacle with the date,” Bach said.

The idea of pitching Berlin as a host in the centennial year of the 1936 Games has been mentioned informally for a few years now. But the question of celebrating Olympics used as Nazi propaganda fodder has muted widespread enthusiasm from developing a Berlin encore. Besides, the Rhine Ruhr region has already signaled interest in a bid and Hamburg has tried once to launch a bid.

Bach, prior to becoming IOC President in 2013, was one of the leaders of the campaign for Munich to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. At the time Bach was president of the DOSB, the German NOC.

With the 2032 Olympics already planned for Brisbane, the 2036 Games are the next open year for the IOC to pick a Summer Olympics host. Following the traditional seven year timetable for host city selection, 2036 may not be picked until 2029, long after Bach has left the presidency.

Europe may offer several cities for 2036 that would rival German hopefuls. Madrid has come close in multiple bids. London is mentioned. Some Russian sports leaders think a new bid for summer is possible despite the angst of its invasion of Ukraine. India and other Asian nations such as Qatar could be in the mix. And there is also the unfulfilled dream of an African Olympics.

All of which is to say, for now the odds of a successful bid from Germany are probably on the high side.

Meanwhile, in Munich, the European Championships are underway at the Olympic Park. Billed as the biggest multi-sport gathering in Munich since 1972, the event runs until August 22. The program includes athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis, and triathlon.

The 50th anniversary of Munich is August 26, but fanfares to those Olympics were held officially in June around June 23, Olympic Day as it is known on the IOC calendar.

Plans for a ceremony in Munich on September 5 to commemorate the grim siege by Palestinian terrorists are being clouded by complications over payments to survivors of the 11 Israeli athletes who died in the assault.

All but one of the 11 families to be recognized say they will boycott the ceremony in Munich. They are rejecting payment from Germany to compensate them for their loss as inadequate. The families have already received about $4.8 million from German agencies.

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